Tech Buzz at its best

How much do you know about custom software development? Or a
better question might be: how much do you care
about custom software development?

In truth, most business owners and executives don’t give it a
lot of thought… until they learn that specialized programming can help them to
automate data entry, streamline order processing and fulfillment, customize
marketing, assist with scheduling, and help with dozens of other tasks that are
critical to any company. In other words, having someone program an app
specifically for your company can make or save you huge amounts of money.

Of course, that’s the one thing you really need to know
about custom software development. Once you get past the basic reason why
businesses invest in programming, though, there are a lot of other little
things to consider. That’s because they can help you focus your thinking and
get your project off the ground.

Today, we want to share with you nine things you might not
have known about custom software development but probably should…

#1 Custom Programming
is More Common Than You Think

Custom programming isn’t just for huge companies, or firms
with big technical resources. In fact, we have worked on software builds and
tweaks for very small enterprises and brand-new upstarts.

You don’t have to have huge budgets to benefit from software
development. In fact, the smaller and more specific your company is, the easier
it is to separate yourself from the competition with the right app or resource.
So, if you haven’t thought about custom programming in the past because you
imagined it was too complex or intensive for your operations, think again. No
matter where you look, businesses like yours are using apps to accomplish more
and spend less.

#2 It Doesn’t Have to
Cost a Fortune

Not only can custom software development save you tons of
time and money every week by making it easier for you to run your company, but
it probably costs a lot less than you might imagine.

New clients are routinely surprised at how affordable it is
to work with a team of experienced programmers. Unless your vision is
extraordinarily complex, there isn’t any reason you have to break the bank to
bring it to life. The same goes for scheduling. You probably won’t be waiting
nearly as long as you would imagine to get finished software you can use.

#3 You Don’t Have to
Start an App or Program from Scratch

In some cases, it makes sense to start from scratch when
building a new piece of software. Very often, though, we can tweak an existing
application, create a plug-in that piggybacks off another piece of software, or
work from a template that’s already been created.

The benefits of working from existing software are that it
speeds the process up, costs less money, and gives you a conceptual head start.
It also restricts your imagination a little bit, but if you aren’t looking to
reinvent the wheel – and just want to make it turn a little bit faster – know
that your goal is probably well within reach.

#4 Software
Development Can be a Productivity Booster

As we’ve already mentioned, there are dozens or hundreds of
potential uses for custom software development. However, automating repetitive
work tends to be one of the most impactful ways to use a new app or program.

If you have a part of your business that currently takes
more hours than it should, or regularly produces costly and time-consuming
errors, then a new custom app might be just what you need. The more time you
can spend actually running your company (and having your employees handle the
most important aspects of their jobs), the higher your productivity is going to
go.

#5 There are Three Important
Parts to Software Development

When business people think of “custom software development,”
they usually imagine coders knocking out line after line until a piece of
software is finished. In reality, there are really three important steps that
have to be followed.

First, you and your creative team get together to discuss
the concept. Then, they’ll create flowcharts and mockups of the interface so
you can get a visual sense of the way your program will look and feel. And then
finally, after that wireframe or static has been approved, they’ll start
actually putting the pieces of code together.

Beware any programming team that only emphasizes aesthetics,
for example, or functionality. Each of these steps is critically important, and
you can’t afford to rush through any of them.

#6 It’s Important for
Your Software to be Tested

Even the smallest pieces of custom software need to be
tested extensively. This doesn’t take a lot of time, but it’s something you
want to be sure is being handled.

There are couple of reasons for this. Naturally, you’ll want
to ensure your app or program works the way it’s supposed to. At the same time,
custom software should work well across any platform (for instance, desktop
computers versus smartphones) it’s made to function on. And finally, you have
to be sure your software doesn’t contain any security flaws that could leave it
vulnerable to hackers.

This is an area where a lot of newer and inexpensive firms
will cut corners. However, your business and credibility are on the line, so
make sure testing is a priority.

#7 Your App or
Program Might Change During Development

No matter how crystal-clear your vision of your finished
program is, there is a chance that your idea might need to be changed or
tweaked along the way.

When this happens, it’s usually because the client realizes
a key feature is missing, or they discover users might like some functionality
during beta testing. However, it’s also possible that your ideas will be
amended because your original concept isn’t quite feasible, or could work more
cleanly with a twist.

The more flexible you are during the software development
process, the more likely you are to end up with something you and your
customers or employees can actually use.

#8 Most Custom
Software Needs Updates

Even the best pieces of custom software are never really
“finished,” they just have to be released eventually. You should approach the
launch of your app with the idea that it may need to be upgraded or revised
later.

One reason for an upgrade or improvement traces back to the
notion that you might decide to add new features. And, it’s possible your
customers or users will ask for something more than what you give them
initially. Even if those things don’t happen, though, you might need to
eventually update your software to match changes to the operating systems it
runs on.

A good custom software development team is going to prepare
you for this eventuality early in the process and factor it into their quote.
Once again, you should take it as a red flag if your programmer doesn’t bring
up future updates and revisions with you.

#9 The Right
Programming Team Can Make or Break Your Project

As you might imagine, choosing the right vendor is
critically important to the success of your software development project.

An experienced team can guide you through each step and
decision that comes up along the way; a bargain-basement vendor might simply
take a feature list from you and then deliver work that meets the specs but
doesn’t really fit the vision you had in mind. Then, you might be left with the
dilemma of spending more time and money to get it right or using software that
doesn’t really do the job you intended.

Experience, technical expertise, and reputation should be
important guiding principles as you develop your app, so don’t sacrifice them
to save a few dollars in your IT development budget.

Want to Learn More
about Custom Software Development?

Do you have an idea for an app or program that could help
your company grow? Or, do you simply want to learn a little bit more and figure
out whether it’s something your business could profit from?

In either case, your next step is clear. Talk to the custom
software development experts at Kinetik IT today. We have served businesses,
nonprofits, and institutions across Arizona for years, helping them to find,
imagine, and build the resources they need.

In one brief consultation, we can help you to think about
software programming in a new way. Better yet, we'll give you the answers you
need to tweak your idea or move it forward. Contact us now to get started!

Malware can take many forms. What they all have in common,
though, is that they can turn into a big concern for your business very
quickly.

Some pieces of malicious software take over your computers
or workstations until you give up ransom payments to developers. Others can
flood your business – including your employees and customers – with endless
spam and pop-up ads. Perhaps the worst form of malware are the little bits of
code that spy on your communications, looking for things like account numbers
and financial transactions so thieves can get access to that information later.

Because the threat of malware is changing and evolving all
the time, lots of business owners and executives aren’t really sure what they
should do to guard against the threat. Even worse, most have no idea how to
respond to a malware attack once it happens.

It’s easy to make things worse by doing something you
shouldn’t. So, today we’re going to share a handful of tips you can use in the
event you know or suspect you have malicious software on your computers or
devices. We hope you are never in that situation, but if you are, here’s what
you definitely shouldn’t do…

Don’t Ignore the Risk
of Malware

When it comes to malware, a lot of professionals seem to
take the “it could never happen to me” approach. That might be comforting, but
it isn’t sound business strategy. You don’t have to run an enormous company to
have hackers target your business. Many online thieves commit quick and easy
crimes of opportunity. If your company’s hardware or software seems easy to get
into, they’ll come looking for you.

It’s hard to find firm statistics, but it’s thought that
malware affects thousands of small and medium-sized businesses throughout Arizona
each year, costing them tens of millions in theft, missing revenue, and lost
productivity. Typically, it’s the businesses that think they have the least to
lose that are hit the hardest.

Know that the risk is real, and pay attention to warning
signs like error messages, suspicious emails, and slow technology performance that
seems to come out of nowhere. If any of these seems to be a problem, make a
phone call and find out whether you need help from a professional IT team.

Don’t Panic About
Your Malware Attack

If it turns out you do have malware on company computers or equipment, don’t panic. Sometimes,
business owners or managers will decide to deal with the issue by formatting
hard drives or replacing specific devices. Buying new tech can get expensive,
and you don’t want to overreact and wipe out all your files at once.

You may not know what the scope of the problem is. That’s
not great news, but it’s not a terrible position to be in, either. Things might
not be as bad as they seem, and you don’t want to make them worse by taking
drastic steps that won't solve the issue.

Sometimes the quick fixes business owners turn to in order
to resolve malware are worse than the original infections themselves. Don’t
turn a small repair into a big one by formatting something you shouldn’t,
downloading software you don’t understand, or turning to a solution that seems
too good to be true.

Don’t Ignore the
Issue and Hope it Will Resolve Itself

Just as you don’t want to go too far, neither do you want to
ignore malware if it has infected your computers or devices. Ignoring the
problem won’t make it go away, and seemingly small issues can get progressively
worse with inattention.

For example, some small pieces of spyware can download
malicious code in the background if you don’t get rid of them right away. Or,
you could end up spreading malware from one computer, workstation, or device to
another if you aren’t diligent about getting rid of the problem. The point here
is that the issue won’t solve itself, so don’t bury your head in the sand and
hope for the best.

Having malware removed usually isn’t expensive or time-consuming,
but it isn’t something that can be put off indefinitely, either.

Don’t Keep Infected
Devices Online

Digital viruses resemble their biological counterparts in an
important way – both stay alive through constant spreading and infection. So,
if you don’t deal with malware quickly, there’s a chance it will move from one
device on your network to another.

The best way to stop this from happening is by simply taking
affected workstations, tablets, etc., offline if you can. Better yet, turn them
off completely (unplugging cords if necessary) until they can be inspected by
an IT professional. Leave them sitting where they are and you could make the
problem worse, even if you aren’t actively doing anything with the affected
hardware.

If you can’t take affected hardware offline, consider
shutting down your network until the problem is solved. The problem will be
fixed quicker if fewer devices have malware, and there will be less chance of
hackers stealing information from you.

Don’t Make Any
Payments or Money Transfers

In the last couple of years, lots of individuals – and more
than a few very large organizations – have made big payments to hackers who are
holding their files ransom. This is almost always the wrong course of action.

Even if the amounts demanded by the producers of a piece of
malware are small, there are a couple of problems with the payoff approach. One
is that you have identified yourself as a target for future exploitation. The
other is that you are rewarding the hacker, thereby encouraging them to develop
even more malicious code in the future.

Of course, there is also the chance that your financial
information will be shared or stolen. So, take our advice and call an IT team
if you are infected by malware, rather than paying a ransom you'll regret
later.

Don’t Forget to
Monitor Website, Email, and Financial Activity

In many cases, malware can be removed from many infected
devices in a short period of time. Afterwards, you’ll want your IT team keeping
an eye on your website, email, and other technology. Additionally, you’ll want
to watch your own financial transactions to ensure nothing seems out of place.

There are two reasons you need to take this step. One has to
do with unknown consequences. If you aren’t sure when your computers were
infected with malware, then you can’t be certain what kind of information
hackers already have. Also, this kind of activity check can help you be sure
that all the malicious code was taken away and your business is back to normal
operations.

In the same way your doctor wants to know you're well after
giving you medicine, your IT team will likely want to keep an eye on your
computers and email activity following a malware attack.

DO Call the IT
Experts to Protect Your Business and Customers

As we’ve already mentioned, it’s a lot easier to deal with a
malware attack that doesn’t happen, than it is to fix the damage after the
fact. Unfortunately, most business owners and executives simply don’t have the
time or expertise to identify suspicious activity, much less prevent it.

For that reason, your best bet is almost always to have an
experienced team of technical experts working on your behalf. That’s exactly
what we have at Kinetik IT in Phoenix. Contact us for a free consultation and
you might be very surprised at just how easy and affordable it is to get the
help you need.

Whether you’re dealing with performance and security issues
stemming from a malware attack, or suspect you might not be as safe as you
could be, now is the time to act. Get in touch with our team today so we can
get your technology running perfectly again!

Do you know what to look for when you’re looking for a
programmer to help with custom software creation? Most businesspeople don’t.

That’s only natural. Business owners and executives have no
reason to be familiar with programming languages and design processes. They
have to be focused on the bigger picture, which largely involves what they want
from the finished product in terms of appearance and functionality. They can’t
get those outcomes, though, until they have the right team in place.

The need to hire a programming team without having
programming knowledge can lead to a bit of difficulty. How do you hire a team
when it’s difficult to properly assess their qualifications? How can you be
sure about who you’re going to if you aren’t entirely sure what separates one
from another?

The first thing to know is that you absolutely can find the
right software programming partner even if you've never written or seen a line
of code in your life. All you need are the proper set of criteria to examine.
Just like non-engineers can pick out great cars, our job is to look for the
obvious signs of quality.

As veteran developers ourselves, today we are going to give
you a quick peek behind the curtain. We are going to show you, in non-technical
terms, exactly what to look for in a custom software programming vendor. It all
starts with the one quality you would probably look for in any specialty…

Your Software
Programming Partner Should Have Experience

The more you do anything, the better you get. With
experience, it’s easier to avoid common mistakes and pitfalls, and to
streamline your working process to come out with the right result.

Software programming is no exception to that rule, although
a lot of startup firms and independent programmers would like you to ignore
that fact. That’s because the least expensive and least experienced programmers
want you to think that it’s all a matter of putting a few simple lines of code
together. However, things are more complicated. Believe it or not, programming
software takes vision and creativity along with a base of technical knowledge.

If you’re serious about creating a tool that helps you to
market, automate, or better process information, then work with someone who
understands the way a piece of software comes together. The experience level of
your team matters, particularly if you have a complex project.

You Want a
Programming Team with a Willingness to Listen

Although programming software isn’t as simple or straightforward
as people tend to believe, in some ways it is
the easier part of the job. That’s because the most valuable work happens when
your vendor asks you what kind of program you want to create, and why certain
features or ideas are important.

If your programmer isn’t listening carefully, they might
miss the important details or jump to conclusions. That’s not a good idea,
since programmers never know a client’s industry as well as the client does.
The finer points of functionality, appearance, and usability all come into
focus through a gradual question-and-answer period. That can sometimes take an
hour, but it can last longer, too.

This is something a lot of business people wouldn’t
necessarily consider to be important, but you don’t want a programmer who doesn’t
take the time to figure out what you’re hoping to get from their work.

Choose a Software
Programmer with Lots of Patience

In a lot of ways, designing and programming a custom
software package is a lot like writing a book. You can begin from an outline,
but they’re going to be revisions, additions, and even major plot changes along
the way. You’ll find pieces of code are missing, need to be amended, or aren’t
compatible with one another.

This is to say that good software programming takes a bit of
patience. You have to be able to be calm and work through the little issues
that are going to come up as you write line after line and then test your work.
You also have to be able to step back and assess things when clients realize
that what they asked for isn't exactly the same as what they wanted.

If you choose a software programming team that isn’t
patient, you are going to end up with an app that feels rushed. That might get
you to a finished program quicker, but over time you’ll have to deal with more
errors and patches that hurt your profitability.

Your Software
Development Partner Should Emphasize Reliability

There are software programming firms out there that
specialize in giving clients more glitz than substance. That is, they build
programs that look great, with interesting design features and animations, but
don’t necessarily work as well as they should once they’re put to use.

In some cases, that can mean a lack of functionality. The
resulting software just doesn’t have as many tools or features as the client
originally intended, or those features aren’t as deep (in terms of reporting,
etc.). In other cases, speed and reliability can be compromised. The app might
run perfectly in a test setting, but crash repeatedly when it’s used on a different
workstation or website.

When it comes to creating software, reliability is the name
of the game. Refuse to work with any programming team that prioritizes speed or
budget above long-term value.

Examine a Software
Programmer’s Portfolio and Case Studies

Even if you know what you’re looking for in a software
programmer, it’s not necessarily easy to find it. That’s because some people
will tell you virtually anything in order to close the sale. You might have to
do a little bit of research to get to the truth, or to verify that what you’re
hearing is accurate.

This is where a custom software development company’s
portfolio and case study examples come into play. You want to have the chance
to take a good long look at their previous work, and to evaluate the statements
past clients have made. What you’re looking for isn’t just positive feedback,
but a sense that business owners and executives who have hired them the past
are emphasizing experience, patience, etc., in their praise.

No one knows your software programmer like the people who
have already hired them the past. Take the time to read what they have to say
before making your decision.

Pay Attention to Your
Developer’s Budget and Scheduling Terms

Before you sign the bottom line, it’s worth looking through
the budget and terms proposed by your creative partner. What are they promising
you in terms of delivery? What about additional costs for edits or revisions?
How do the cancellation terms look?

Pay attention to each line item and don’t assume that the
price you're quoted will always be the final cost. Some software companies make
their money off of add-on fees, or aren’t great about meeting deadlines. You
don’t want to get caught in a situation where you’re tied to a company that
won’t deliver and you can’t get away.

A reputable programming partner is going to be confident
enough in their work to offer you terms that are fair but friendly. If you get
the sense that you’re being locked into something you might regret later, ask a
few questions before finalizing the deal.

You Can Hire the Best
Without Breaking the Bank

All things considered, it probably won’t come as a major
surprise that the best software programmers aren’t usually the cheapest.
Experience, technical skill, and business know-how tend to come with a cost.

With that being said, however, you can definitely work with
the best in the business without breaking your IT budget. In fact, many of our
clients actually save money on custom software programming because they don’t
have to pay for delays, deal with unexpected errors, or suffer losses from apps
that don’t do with they are supposed to. Quality always wins out in the end,
especially in our industry.

So, if you want to work with the most trusted software
programming team in Arizona, contact the experts at Kinetik IT. We’ll be happy
to give you a free, no-obligation consultation to hear about your project.
Then, we’ll show you just how easy it is to turn your idea into a finished
product your clients, customers, or employees can use.

There are times when it’s obvious you need help with
networking from an experienced Phoenix area IT team. When you’re staring at a
pile of hardware that’s covered in water and giving off smoke, for instance.
Or, when you try to load up your computers and see nothing but error screens.

However, when it comes to network maintenance and security,
there are also more subtle indications you could use professional technical
assistance. Sometimes, these little signals are clues that bigger (and more
expensive) network problems are on the way. In other cases, they could simply
be slowing you down and causing endless aggravation.

Either way, you don’t want to ignore serious network issues.
They may get better on their own for a little while, but you’ll almost always
end up with bigger headaches – not to mention IT repair bills – at a later
date.

To help you understand why, let’s look at five clear signs that
it’s time to call us for help with IT networking…

#1 Your Network Goes
Down for No Identifiable Reason

If your network is unreliable, going off-line at irregular
times and for no identifiable reason, it’s important to figure out what’s
causing the issue. That’s because whatever problem you may have, it’s likely to
become more prevalent the longer you wait.

Generally speaking, when a network isn’t as stable as it
should be, it’s because there are hardware problems or conflicts in the
configuration. In other words, you have a piece of equipment that is wearing
out, or multiple devices or apps that don’t work together the way they are
supposed to.

That might not seem particularly dire, but consider what
happens when equipment fails altogether and causes more serious failures or
data loss. Imagine that suddenly you can’t process credit card transactions,
access account information, or save files you need to complete your projects.
Why face that kind of situation when you can see it coming ahead of time?

#2 Your Network
Performance is Slow at Times

A network that runs slowly from time to time might not seem
like a big concern. After all, as long as it isn’t always happening, and
performance turns back to normal, do you really need to worry about something
that’s a minor inconvenience?

You probably should, if you want to get the most from your
technology. Slow networks can be a sign that some of your hardware is on the
verge of failing. Or, it could simply indicate that you have bottlenecks that
are holding up the flow of data during peak periods of usage. It might even be
a sign of compatibility problems between newer and older devices or software
packages.

None of these common IT issues should cause you too much
stress on their own, but they can lead to larger difficulties. For instance, if
your network is too slow, it might prevent backups from occurring normally. Or,
you could find that software updates can’t run the way they should, leaving you
with security issues.

As a rule of thumb, it isn’t difficult to repair a slow or
lagging network. Put it off for too long, though, and you might end up with a
bigger issue than the one you started with.

#3 You Aren’t Sure if
Your Network is Being Backed Up

No matter how big or small your organization might be, and
what kind of hardware software you’re running, regular data backups are crucial
to your long term profitability. That’s because you’ll eventually run into a
situation where your primary storage devices fail.

A lot of business owners and executives fail to understand
just how common it is to lose access to important data when it matters most.
Something as simple as an electrical surge, hard drive failure, or an improper
setting in the wrong place can all lead to years and years worth of files
disappearing within moments. When that happens, you’re going to want the data
you’ve been sending back and forth through your network to be accessible as
quickly as possible.

If you aren’t sure where your data is being backed up, how
often those backups are being run, or whether that backup data itself is being
secured, now is the time to get the answers you need. Even a network that’s
functioning perfectly at the moment can experience problems. That’s just a fact
of life in the digital age. Whether such an event causes minor hiccups or major
problems for your business will largely be dependent on what you have stored in
the event of an emergency.

#4 Network Security
Feels Like a Bit of a Mystery

It almost goes without saying that network security has
become a top priority for businesses of all sizes in the past few years. For
every high-profile hack and cybercrime that has made the news – and there have
been dozens – there are dozens of other smaller companies affected by online
theft and malware.

In the same way that locks, alarms, and cameras can help
keep a retail business safe from shoplifters and break-ins, basic networking
security protocols can prevent unauthorized third parties from snooping in on
your files and communications. If you don’t have the right tools and procedures
in place, though, you’re practically inviting thieves to see what they can
steal.

A good IT team will ensure your network is as safe and
secure as it can be. However, if you haven’t had a professional looking after
your systems in the past, now might be a good time to ensure you aren't an easy
target for hackers.

#5 You’re Opening a
New Location and Want to Install Networking Equipment

Expanding your business is a sign of prosperity, not IT
problems. But, it can also present some logistical headaches. Do you need to
buy new networking equipment? Is what is available on the market compatible
with your existing hardware and software? Are you sure your new network will be
reliable, and connect seamlessly between offices or locations?

Your IT partner can help you make sense of all of these
questions. That’s because a technical team that knows your business can help
you choose the right hardware at an affordable price, set it up correctly, and
test it for both performance and security. In other words, they can ensure you
are ready to step in and get to work from the first minute your new office or
location opens.

We deal with bad network configurations every week. Usually,
they come about because a company was in a hurry to get things set up and
didn’t do enough planning. That leads to persistent (and expensive) networking
problems that go on and on for months and years. Do yourself a favor and hire
an experienced IT partner who can set your systems up correctly the first time.

Networking and IT
Support Done Right

Most networking issues, if they are caught early enough, are
easy enough to fix. That’s because a team of trained technicians can identify
simple issues with routers, servers, and backup media pretty quickly.
Additionally, these kinds of components are generally inexpensive to repair or
replace.

On the other hand, once you get into a situation where your
network is failing, the costs can spiral out of control quickly. If you’re
dealing with issues like malware or corrupted data, the problem can spread from
one drive or device to another. And of course, it’s worth pointing out that you
and your team aren’t being as productive as you could be when you can't
communicate with customers and each other.

Consider these details together and it’s easy to see why
networking problems should be dealt with sooner rather than later. Luckily, we
have a team of trained, experienced, and inexpensive technicians that can get
you back online and working quickly. So, if you’ve noticed one of these five
signs affecting your network, contact Kinetik IT in Phoenix today so we can get
to work for you!

Custom software development can be the key to boosting
revenue and productivity with the perfect app. Or, it can be expensive,
time-consuming, and pointless if the process drags on or the buyer gets a piece
of software that doesn’t meet their business needs.

Having worked within the software development industry for
so long, we know that the biggest issues that affect developers and their
clients don’t appear out of thin air. Instead, they stem from things like poor
planning and a rush to get a finished product out the door quickly.

That’s because a good piece of custom software is sort of
like a cake that has to be baked. If you have a solid recipe, the right
ingredients, and a diligent baker, you’re going to end up with something that
looks and tastes great. On the other hand, if you wing it every step of the
process, substitute salt for sugar, and give yourself an unrealistic deadline,
the final result will be unappetizing to eyes and stomachs.

Because this is so important to understand – and because
custom software development can be so profitable for businesses that use it
correctly – we want to help you avoid making the common big mistakes. Here are
nine ways you can prevent or solve the kinds of software development issues
your colleagues and customers are struggling with…

#1 Ask Customers or
Users What Features They Want

One of the classic mistakes you see in custom software
development occurs before a single line of code has been written: moving
forward with the wrong idea. If you aren’t creating something your customers,
employees, or users want, then it doesn’t matter how great your software looks
or what the performance is like.

You might use polls, questionnaires, or interviews. No matter
what you prefer, though, it’s important that you get a sense of what features
and functions matter most to the people who will actually use your software.
Otherwise, you could end up with something they aren’t going to adopt in the
first place.

#2 Plan Extensively,
Even if You Think Your Project is Simple

Ideally, you’ll want every phase of your custom software
development project planned out in advance. You’ll want to know exactly what
your app will do, what it will look like, and which tools will be integrated
before your programming team starts putting it together.

You might even anticipate stumbling blocks, programming
challenges, and future releases. That information isn’t crucial at the outset
(and in fact can be difficult to predict), but having more information and
insights is better than less.

#3 Get a Written
Agreement with Milestones Spelled Out

Naturally, your software development team is going to want
you to sign a written agreement or proposal before any work begins. When you
do, be sure that the deadlines and expectations for major milestones are
spelled out thoroughly.

From a client’s perspective, this can add a little bit of
peace of mind. You want to know when you’ll start seeing early versions of your
software, at what date you can expect it to launch, and so on. For developers,
these sorts of milestones also prepare the client so they can be ready to make
important decisions in a timely way. That helps everyone to keep the process
moving along.

#4 Decide on a Look
for Your Software Interface

What do you want the various screens or pages within your
software package to look like? At some point, early in the process, it’s good
if you can decide on a certain aesthetic that will carry from one interaction
to the next. That’s because you don’t want your programming team making a lot
of last-minute changes to the visuals if it’s not necessary. That can lead to
crashes and inconsistencies.

If you have a sense of how you want your interface to be
presented, bring that up early on. The design element of your app isn’t
necessarily as important as the concept itself, but it does add to the overall
feel and usability of the finished product.

#5 Create Flowcharts
for User Flow and Interface Design

In some ways, custom software projects are similar to web
designs. That’s not only because many new apps end up on the internet; it’s
also because you want to manage things so it’s as easy as possible for users to
get from one screen, prompt, or feature to the next.

To maximize usability, work with your development team to
come up with flowcharts and menus that guides users through the various steps
needed to complete common tasks. You’ll double check this work in the testing
phase later, but it’s easier if your software is set up in a coherent way from
the beginning.

#6 Give Prompt
Feedback to Your Development Team

As they move through the design and programming phase of
your software development project, your creative team is going to present you
with various models and mockups. These might be screenshots, artistic designs,
or versions of your app with limited functionality.

When you receive them, take care to respond with any
feedback in a timely way if possible. That will stop the development project
from stalling, of course, but will also make it easier to facilitate a
back-and-forth discussion that influences future work. To put it another way,
it’s easier to prevent the same mistakes from being repeated again and again
when your programming team is getting solid and immediate responses.

#7 Leave Time for
Beta Testing and Security Evaluations

Sometimes, business owners, nonprofit directors, and
executives get so excited about a software development idea that they want to
rush the product to market, or get their team using it as quickly as possible.
That enthusiasm is wonderful, but you should always leave a little bit of time
on the calendar for beta testing and intensive review from your creative team.

No matter how well-planned or envisioned an app is, there
are often small corrections that need to be made once real humans start
interacting with the product. Additionally, you’ll want to ensure your software
is as stable as it can be, and that it isn’t leaving you open to any kind of
security concerns. It can be hard to wait while testing goes on, but it’s an
important step that shouldn’t be skipped.

#8 Plan for Future Updates

Once your app is ready to launch, schedule some time with
your development team to review your progress and talk about version updates
later. You might not have any idea what those updates will be like, but you are
very likely to need something once
your software is in use.

Little patches, revisions to text, and feature growth are
all common requests that come into play after an app or software package has
been delivered. By planning to review for these changes ahead of time, you can
make it easier for you and your team to keep track of what you might like to
see done.

#9 Choose a Software
Development Company You Can Trust

It’s worth pointing out, of course, that everything we’ve
suggested on this list is easier to accomplish and manage when you have a team
of experienced and professional software developers on your side. That
expertise is going to come with a cost, but you’re also going to get what you
need and expect in the end.

There is a common misconception that programming is all the
same and it doesn’t matter who you work with for custom software development.
However, the lowest bidders and newest providers start out on the bottom wrong
for a reason. If you want software that helps your business to grow, and wish
to avoid the kinds of headaches and issues that can cause you to give up on the
project before it’s finished, then do yourself a favor and work with
professionals you can trust.

Turn to Us for Custom
Software Development

An experienced Arizona software development team won’t just
give you a completed application you need – they’ll also have plenty of
questions and guide you step-by-step through the programming process.

That’s how we’ve been so successful at Kinetik IT. With more
experience than virtually any other team the Phoenix area, we have helped our
clients to develop usable software that works in a variety of situations, and
on just about any kind of platform or operating system you can imagine.

Whether you have a perfect idea of what you want your custom
software package to do, or need to talk about the possibilities with a team of
experts, we’re here to help. Contact our development team today and will be happy
to schedule a no-obligation consultation for you. In just one short
conversation you could get all the information you need to grow your company,
automate repetitive tasks, and improve your bottom line.

Every programmer knows all too well the challenges of software bugs during the testing phase of an application. It's a part of the life of a developer that remains constant, yet the methods used to remove bugs are not always constant. That's where an expert like Microsoft MVP, Tom van Stiphout comes in with his vast knowledge of software and database programming to share little known tips on making life just a little bit easier.

The second open forum webinar in our MVP Hour series, Tom covers techniques in Access and Excel using Visual Basic Tools that beginner and intermediate developers can use for software debugging.

The presentation is published in a couple of videos that can be found on our YouTube channel. Over time, we will continue to add more videos and encourage sharing them to pass along Tom's advice.

Anyone interested in joining our mailing list to be notified of our next MVP Hour, can sign up here.

Big data. While the term is thrown around a lot these days, the gist of the term is uncertain, often meaning different things to different people. In an MIT Technology Review article entitled, The Big Data Conundrum: How to Define It? the authors suggest, “there is unanimous agreement that big data is revolutionizing commerce in the 21st century. When it comes to business, big data offers unprecedented insight, improved decision-making, and untapped sources of profit.”

Big data is defined as “an all-encompassing term for any collection of data sets so large and complex that it becomes difficult to process using on-hand data management tools or traditional data processing applications… The challenges of working with big data include capture, curation, storage, search, sharing, transfer, analysis and visualization; while the benefits include allowing correlations to be found to spot business trends, prevent diseases, combat crime, etc.”

· Size: If you don’t have a petabyte of data, it doesn’t fit.· Data: Real time answers, and often requiring hours or days to calculate.· Investment: Often thousands of dollars are required to use these kinds of technologies.

But big data can also create problems when companies aren’t sure how to articulate exactly what they want, have trouble analyzing the information and putting it all together. Most small to mid-size organizations aren’t actually big data kinds of companies. The organizations that produce big data are very big companies or agencies. Creating data is just part of what they do, and they have massive amounts of web users that produce that information. They’re tracking volumes of information, and they use specialized equipment to create a new stream of data on an ongoing basis. Real time answers are critical to their success, and data sets are complicated. In addition, these companies have the capital to support big data projects.

Whether you think you’re in for a big data project or you’re just looking at something a bit smaller, we can help. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you do more with your business, no matter how big it is.

Relational database. When you hear the words, you may notice your mind going blank and your eyes glazing over, thinking the term completely uninteresting or unrelated to your work. Dig in further, and you’ll find terms like normalization, entity and referential integrity, superkey and abstraction layer. Relational databases, however, play a huge role in our daily office activities, and even how we shop.

The relational (which refers to mathematical relations) database was created in 1970 by E.F. Codd, a researcher at IBM. At its core, the database is made up of a group of connected tables. With anywhere from 10 to more than 1,000 tables, a typical relational database contains a column or columns that other tables can key on to gather information from that table. Since its creation, databases have become a standard for most businesses and websites—Amazon’s site contains hundreds or thousands of tables all used together to quickly find the exact information needed at any given time—even deciding what products to suggest, based on the user’s activity and interests.

Data Integrity is the foundation of a solid and proper database design. A relational database is able to cross reference data.The lack of data integrity will cause duplication of data, missing records, and orphaned database records.

Information Sharing

Another key aspect of a relational database is it gives the ability for users to share information simultaneously. The database automatically updates the system when information is deleted, added, or changed. Users are able to immediately access all changes.

Security

No data can be totally safe; still, a relational database allows for different access levels and password protection. Also, authentication steps can be set to ensure that users are only allowed to access information relevant to their job. Authentication steps can also produce a record of user access that can be used to determine access for different users.

While building a custom relational database may take time, its positive impact on a business can be tremendous. A relational database can quickly and efficiently compare information, allow access to vast amounts of information to numerous people at once, and keep information protected by the use of passwords authentication steps. If you are considering a relational database for your company, it is easy to see how important it could be to your business and your bottom line.

At a time when so much information is stored in the cloud, and many companies operate remotely, Microsoft Access may not be the first program to come to mind when thinking about database management. But in fact, Access is one of the most mature Microsoft products released in 1992.

Microsoft Access is a powerful and useful information management tool which systematically stores information for reference, reporting, and analysis. The way the data is organized allows for in-depth analysis, and management – far better than is possible with spreadsheet applications. More than just a list or table, a database is a formidable tool, allowing for relationships between tables and dictate which data is mandatory to be entered by the user and much more. This allows a user to easily retrieve, sort, analyze, and report data without compromise.

These points are moot, however, if a client doesn’t understand how a database can help them achieve their end results. When working with this type of client, start with the why.

If ten Access developers were asked what they do, the answer would, most likely, include several variations on this response: "I deliver custom business solutions for companies using Microsoft Access."

The above answer is correct – that’s technically what the developer does, and the how is by using Microsoft Access VBA. But what about the why? Why is it that they do what they do?

Data is the lifeblood that drives a company.Every company relies on accurate data to run their business. Without accurate data, there is no business. From orders, customers information, to appointments, sales, inventory etc., it's all data and it's all vital in the operation of a business.

If data is the lifeblood of the business, a professional database development company can help by creating a solid database design and architecture which is the foundation of any database, ensuring integrity of the data. . Lack of data integrity has substantial consequences such as duplicate records, lost data, and orphaned records. Eventually lack of data integrity will affect your business operations. Access Developers are in a unique position to help business, from small to midsize using an amazing tool without parallel.

Thinking about the question again, a better answer would be something like this:

"Because data is one of a business’s most important assets, our passion is helping you protect and discover its power."